Penn State commit Justin Shorter, Lions’ targets off to The Opening, and more recruiting notes from NY/NJ regional

Justin Shorter, wide receiver from South Brunswick, NJ, shows off his invitation to the Opening Finals during the Opening Regionals in Florham Park, NJ on April 30, 2017. Shorter is a Penn State commit. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

A quality day of competition wrapped up late Sunday afternoon at the New York Jets training facility in Florham Park, N.J., with MVP awards and invites to The Opening for five highly-skilled high school football players following one of the events regional stops here on the east coast.

For those that are unaware, The Opening is an elite summer high school football event held annually in Oregon. It’s a highly-coveted invitation for prep players, akin to Willy Wonka getting into the chocolate factory in the famed movie.

Three players with Penn State connections were picked to attend this year’s edition, which will likely be held in late June or early July, as four-star wide receiver commit Justin Shorter from Monmouth Junction, N.J., was joined by recent Lions’ decommit and five-star end Micah Parsons and Owing Mills, Md., four-star end P.J. Mustipher in receiving a “golden ticket” after the camp concluded.

Mustipher is a priority target for the Lions at end, while Parsons is a player they will still pursue, of course. Shorter has been a Lions pledge since August 2016.

“Let’s get it, baby,” Parsons said, smiling from ear to ear. “I got a lot more to work on, but God blessed me. [Today’s] been great.”

Added Shorter between disbelieving smiles : “It’s just crazy. I’ve been working hard every single game to try and get ready for this and my season. This is awesome. This is crazy.”

Mustipher was equally taken aback by the honor, saying: “Nothing popped into my head. I blanked. I was like man, this is crazy. It’s a dream come true, really.”

All three said they have been watching The Opening since ESPN began televising it.